Emergency Call Method and Apparatus, and System

ABSTRACT

An emergency call method applied to a vehicle-mounted communications system and the method includes a telematics box that activates a host function. The host function includes controlling a first transmission node and a peripheral connected to the first transmission node. The telematics box is coupled to the first transmission node, and the telematics box may perform data transmission with the first transmission node using the host function. The first transmission node is in a master node mode.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of International Patent Application No.PCT/CN2019/125753 filed on Dec. 16, 2019, which is hereby incorporatedby reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates to the field of communications technologies,and in particular, to an emergency call method and apparatus, and asystem.

BACKGROUND

With continuous development of the automobile industry, an automobilehas more functions. For example, an audio system of a vehicle mayimplement functions such as active noise reduction and an emergencycall. To implement these functions, the audio system generally includesthe following devices: an external device, a digital transmission systemconnected to the external device, and the like. The external device maybe a speaker, a microphone (MIC), a power amplifier (or an externalpower amplifier) configured to drive a high-power speaker, or the like.The digital transmission system may include one host, one master node,and one or more slave nodes. The master node is a main control node ofthe digital transmission system. One end of the master node is connectedto the host and the other end of the master node is connected to theslave node. A plurality of slave nodes may be connected level by level,as shown in FIG. 1. The master node and the slave node may be connectedto the external device (such as a MIC array and the speaker). Atelematics box may be connected to the audio system by using any slavenode. The telematics box is configured to implement communicationbetween the vehicle and the outside, for example, communication betweenthe vehicle and a base station, communication between the vehicle and aroadside station, and communication between the vehicle and anothervehicle.

The host may process data transmitted by the external device or thetelematics box. For example, audio data collected by the microphone isused as an example. The microphone collects the audio data and transmitsthe audio data to the slave node. The slave node sends the audio data tothe master node, and the master node forwards the audio data to the hostfor processing. FIG. 1 is used as an example, and a transmission pathmay be described as a slave node 2→a slave node 1→a slave node 0→themaster node→the host. The master node encapsulates a processing resultof the host and sends the result to the slave node. The slave node mayreceive data corresponding to the slave node, and control, based on thedata, an external device connected to the slave node. For example, theaudio data is used as an example. The audio data is sent from the hostto the master node, and then is transmitted to speakers of the slavenodes. FIG. 1 is used as an example, and a transmission path may bedescribed as the host→the master node→the slave node 0→the slave node1→the slave node 2.

In an emergency, the telematics box may collect location information,in-vehicle voice collected by the MIC array, and information aboutvarious sensors (such as an airbag), and transmit the information backto an emergency center by using an emergency call (eCall) function. In acurrent audio system, when an upper-level link or node is faulty, normalworking of a link at a lower level or below is affected. Therefore, whenan upper-level link or node of the slave node connected to thetelematics box in the audio system is faulty, the telematics box cannotobtain data collected by the external device connected to the slavenode, and cannot complete functions such as the emergency call.

SUMMARY

This application provides an emergency call method and apparatus, and asystem, to resolve a problem where a function such as an emergency callcannot be completed when an upper-level link or node of a slave node, inan audio system, that is connected to a telematics box is faulty.

According to a first aspect, an embodiment of this application providesan emergency call method, applied to a vehicle-mounted communicationssystem. The vehicle-mounted communications system includes a telematicsbox and a data communication system. The data communication systemincludes a first transmission node, and the telematics box is connectedto the first transmission node. The method includes the telematics boxactivates a host function. The host function includes controlling thefirst transmission node and a peripheral connected to the firsttransmission node. The telematics box may perform data transmission withthe first transmission node by using the host function. The firsttransmission node is in a master node mode.

In this embodiment of this application, the host function is deployed onthe telematics box, and the first transmission node switches from aslave node mode to the master node mode, to provide redundancy fornormal working of an eCall. In this way, when a link or a node isfaulty, the host function of the telematics box may receive, through thefirst transmission node that switches to the master node mode, datacollected by the peripheral, and transmit the data back to an emergencycall center. In this way, the eCall can work normally, and reliabilityof the eCall can be improved.

In a possible design, the telematics box may perform, with the firsttransmission node, data transmission on data related to emergency callcommunication.

In a possible design, before the telematics box performs datatransmission with the first transmission node, the telematics boxdetects a signal for triggering an emergency call, and sends a firstinstruction to the first transmission node. The first instruction isused to instruct the first transmission node to switch from the slavenode mode to the master node mode. In the foregoing design, thetelematics box indicates the first transmission node to switch from theslave node mode to the master node mode, so that the host function ofthe telematics box may receive, through the first transmission node, thedata collected by the peripheral, and transmit the data back to theemergency call center. In this way, the eCall can work normally, andreliability of the eCall can be improved.

In a possible design, before the telematics box performs datatransmission with the first transmission node, the telematics boxdetects that a connection between the first transmission node and amaster node in the data communication system is interrupted, and sendsthe first instruction to the first transmission node. The firstinstruction is used to instruct the first transmission node to switchfrom the slave node mode to the master node mode. In the foregoingdesign, the telematics box indicates the first transmission node toswitch from the slave node mode to the master node mode, so that thehost function of the telematics box may receive, through the firsttransmission node, the data collected by the peripheral, and transmitthe data back to the emergency call center. In this way, the eCall canwork normally, and reliability of the eCall can be improved.

In a possible design, before the telematics box performs datatransmission with the first transmission node, the telematics box mayreceive a second instruction sent by the first transmission node. Thesecond instruction is used to implement synchronization between thetelematics box and the first transmission node. According to theforegoing design, after synchronizing with the first transmission nodethat switches to the master node mode, the host function of thetelematics box communicates with the first transmission node, to improvecommunication reliability.

In a possible design, before the telematics box performs datatransmission with the first transmission node, the telematics box mayalternatively send a second instruction to the first transmission node.The second instruction is used to implement synchronization between thetelematics box and the first transmission node. According to theforegoing design, after synchronizing with the first transmission nodethat switches to the master node mode, the host function of thetelematics box communicates with the first transmission node, to improvecommunication reliability.

In a possible design, before the telematics box activates the hostfunction, the telematics box detects the signal for triggering theemergency call. In the foregoing design, the telematics box activatesthe host function after detecting the signal for triggering theemergency call, so that the telematics box can be prevented from beingaffected by a fault of a link or a node in the data communication systemin the emergency call communication. In this way, the eCall function canrun normally.

In a possible design, before the telematics box activates the hostfunction, the telematics box receives a third instruction sent by thefirst transmission node. The third instruction is used to instruct thevehicle-mounted control terminal to activate the host function, and thethird instruction is sent by the first transmission node when the firsttransmission node detects the signal for triggering the emergency call.In the foregoing design, after detecting the signal for triggering theemergency call, the first transmission node indicates the telematics boxto activate the host function, so that the telematics box can beprevented from being affected by the fault of the link or the node inthe data communication system in the emergency call communication. Inthis way, the eCall function can run normally.

In a possible design, before the telematics box activates the hostfunction, the telematics box detects that the connection between thefirst transmission node and the master node in the data communicationsystem is interrupted. In the foregoing design, when detecting that alink or a node between the first transmission node and the master nodein the data communication system is faulty, the telematics box activatesthe host function. In this case, the host function of the telematics boxmay receive, through the first transmission node that switches to themaster node mode, the data collected by the peripheral, and transmit thedata back to the emergency call center. In this way, the eCall can worknormally, and reliability of the eCall can be improved.

In a possible design, before the telematics box activates the hostfunction, the telematics box receives the third instruction sent by thefirst transmission node. The third instruction is used to instruct thevehicle-mounted control terminal to activate the host function, and thethird instruction is sent by the first transmission node when the firsttransmission node detects that the connection between the firsttransmission node and the master node in the data communication systemis interrupted. In the foregoing design, when detecting that the link orthe node between the first transmission node and the master node in thedata communication system is faulty, the first transmission nodeindicates the telematics box to activate the host function. In thiscase, the host function of the telematics box may receive, through thefirst transmission node that switches to the master node mode, the datacollected by the peripheral, and transmit the data back to the emergencycall center. In this way, the eCall can work normally, and reliabilityof the eCall can be improved.

In a possible design, the data communication system includes at leastone second transmission node. The second transmission node is alower-level transmission node of the first transmission node. After thetelematics box activates the host function, the telematics box mayallocate a transmission resource to the at least one second transmissionnode. The telematics box sends resource allocation information to thefirst transmission node. The resource allocation information is used toindicate the transmission resource separately corresponding to the atleast one second transmission node. In the foregoing design, thetelematics box allocates the transmission resource to the lower-leveltransmission node of the first transmission node, so that thelower-level transmission node of the first transmission node can worknormally under control of the telematics box. In this way, the eCall canwork normally, and reliability of the eCall can be improved.

In a possible design, the telematics box switches from being powered bythe first transmission node to being powered by a local power supply.According to the foregoing design, the telematics box switches to beingpowered by the local power supply, so that the telematics box can worknormally when the link or the node in the data communication system isfaulty.

In a possible design, the telematics box supplies power to the firsttransmission node. According to the foregoing design, the telematics boxswitches to being powered by the local power supply and supplies powerto the first transmission node, so that the first transmission node andthe peripheral connected to the first transmission node can worknormally.

In a possible design, the data communication system includes a thirdtransmission node. The third transmission node is the primarytransmission node in the data communication system. There may be atleast two transmission paths between the first transmission node and thethird transmission node. In the foregoing design, path redundancy isprovided for the telematics box. When the node or the link in the datacommunication system is faulty, the data communication system may supplypower to the telematics box through a standby path, to drive theperipheral to work normally. In this way, reliability of the eCall canbe improved.

According to a second aspect, an embodiment of this application providesan emergency call method, applied to a vehicle-mounted communicationssystem. The vehicle-mounted communications system includes a telematicsbox and a data communication system. The data communication systemincludes a first transmission node, and the telematics box is connectedto the first transmission node. The method includes the firsttransmission node switches from a slave node mode to a master node mode.The first transmission node performs data transmission with thetelematics box. The telematics box has a host function, and the hostfunction includes a function of controlling the first transmission nodeand a peripheral connected to the first transmission node.

In this embodiment of this application, the host function is deployed onthe telematics box, and the first transmission node switches from aslave node mode to the master node mode, to provide redundancy fornormal working of an eCall. In this way, when a link or a node isfaulty, the host function of the telematics box may receive, through thefirst transmission node that switches to the master node mode, datacollected by the peripheral, and transmit the data back to an emergencycall center. In this way, the eCall can work normally, and reliabilityof the eCall can be improved.

In a possible design, before the first transmission node switches fromthe slave node mode to the master node mode, the first transmission nodemay detect a signal for triggering an emergency call. In the foregoingdesign, when detecting the signal for triggering the emergency call, thefirst transmission node switches from the slave node mode to the masternode mode, so that the host function of the telematics box may receive,through the first transmission node, the data collected by theperipheral, and transmit the data back to the emergency call center. Inthis way, the eCall can work normally, and reliability of the eCall canbe improved.

In a possible design, before the first transmission node switches fromthe slave node mode to the master node mode, the first transmission nodemay detect that a connection between the first transmission node and amaster node in the data communication system is interrupted. In theforegoing design, when detecting that the connection between the firsttransmission node and the master node in the data communication systemis interrupted, the first transmission node switches from the slave nodemode to the master node mode, so that the host function of thetelematics box may receive, through the first transmission node, thedata collected by the peripheral, and transmit the data back to theemergency call center. In this way, the eCall can work normally, andreliability of the eCall can be improved.

In a possible design, before the first transmission node switches fromthe slave node mode to the master node mode, the first transmission nodemay receive a first instruction sent by the telematics box. The firstinstruction is used to instruct the first transmission node to switchfrom the slave node mode to the master node mode. The first instructionmay be sent by the vehicle-mount communications terminal when thetelematics box detects the signal for triggering the emergency call. Inthe foregoing design, when detecting the signal for triggering theemergency call, the telematics box indicates the first transmission nodeto switch from the slave node mode to the master node mode, so that thehost function of the telematics box may receive, through the firsttransmission node, the data collected by the peripheral, and transmitthe data back to the emergency call center. In this way, it can beavoided that the eCall cannot work normally due to a fault of a link ora node in the data communication system, and reliability of the eCallcan be improved.

In a possible design, before the first transmission node switches fromthe slave node mode to the master node mode, the first transmission nodemay receive the first instruction sent by the telematics box. The firstinstruction is used to instruct the first transmission node to switchfrom the slave node mode to the master node mode. The first instructionmay be sent by the telematics box when the telematics box detects thatthe connection between the first transmission node and the master nodein the data communication system is interrupted. In the foregoingdesign, the telematics box indicates the first transmission node toswitch from the slave node mode to the master node mode when the link orthe node in the data communication system is faulty, so that the hostfunction of the telematics box may receive, through the firsttransmission node, the data collected by the peripheral, and transmitthe data back to the emergency call center. In this way, the eCall canwork normally, and reliability of the eCall can be improved.

In a possible design, before the first transmission node performs datatransmission with the telematics box, the first transmission node maysend a second instruction to the telematics box. The second instructionis used to implement synchronization between the first transmission nodeand the telematics box. According to the foregoing design, aftersynchronizing with the first transmission node that switches to themaster node mode, the host function of the telematics box communicateswith the first transmission node, to improve communication reliability.

In a possible design, the first transmission node receives the secondinstruction sent by the telematics box. The second instruction is usedto implement synchronization between the first transmission node and thetelematics box. According to the foregoing design, after synchronizingwith the first transmission node that switches to the master node mode,the host function of the telematics box communicates with the firsttransmission node, to improve communication reliability.

In a possible design, before the first transmission node performs datatransmission with the telematics box, the first transmission nodedetects the signal for triggering the emergency call, and sends a thirdinstruction to the telematics box. The third instruction is used toinstruct the telematics box to activate the host function. In theforegoing design, when detecting the signal for triggering the emergencycall, the first transmission node indicates the telematics box toactivate the host function, so that the telematics box can be preventedfrom being affected by the fault of the link or the node in the datacommunication system in emergency call communication. In this way, theeCall function can run normally.

In a possible design, before the first transmission node performs datatransmission with the telematics box, the first transmission nodedetects that the connection between the first transmission node and themaster node in the data communication system is interrupted, and sendsthe third instruction to the telematics box. The third instruction isused to instruct the telematics box to activate the host function. Inthe foregoing design, the first transmission node indicates thetelematics box to activate the host function when the link or the nodein the data communication system is faulty, so that the host function ofthe telematics box may receive, through the first transmission node, thedata collected by the peripheral, and transmit the data back to theemergency call center. In this way, the eCall can work normally, andreliability of the eCall can be improved.

In a possible design, the data communication system includes at leastone second transmission node. The second transmission node is alower-level transmission node of the first transmission node. After thefirst transmission node switches from the slave node mode to the masternode mode, the first transmission node may receive resource allocationinformation sent by the telematics box. The resource allocationinformation is used to indicate a transmission resource of the at leastone second transmission node. The first transmission node separatelysends configuration information to the at least one second transmissionnode. The configuration information is used to indicate the transmissionresource corresponding to the second transmission node. In the foregoingdesign, the telematics box allocates the transmission resource to thelower-level transmission node of the first transmission node, so thatthe lower-level transmission node of the first transmission node canwork normally under control of the telematics box. In this way, theeCall can work normally, and reliability of the eCall can be improved.

In a possible design, the telematics box switches from being powered bythe first transmission node to being powered by a local power supply.According to the foregoing design, the telematics box switches to beingpowered by the local power supply, so that the telematics box can worknormally when the link or the node in the data communication system isfaulty.

In a possible design, the first transmission node may switch from beingpowered by the data communication system to be being powered by thetelematics box. According to the foregoing design, the telematics boxswitches to being powered by the local power supply and supplies powerto the first transmission node, so that the first transmission node andthe peripheral connected to the first transmission node can worknormally.

In a possible design, the data communication system includes a thirdtransmission node. The third transmission node is a primary transmissionnode in the data communication system. There may be at least twotransmission paths between the first transmission node and the thirdtransmission node. In the foregoing design, path redundancy is providedfor the telematics box. When the node or the link in the datacommunication system is faulty, the data communication system may supplypower to the telematics box through a standby path, to drive theperipheral to work normally. In this way, reliability of the eCall canbe improved.

According to a third aspect, an embodiment of this application providesan emergency call method, applied to a vehicle-mounted communicationssystem. The vehicle-mounted communications system includes a telematicsbox and a data communication system. The data communication systemincludes a first transmission node, and the telematics box is connectedto the first transmission node. The method includes the telematics boxactivates a first function and a second function of the telematics box.The first function includes a function of controlling the firsttransmission node and a peripheral connected to the first transmissionnode. The first transmission node is connected to the telematics box,and the first transmission node is in a slave node mode. The secondfunction includes a function of decapsulating data from the firsttransmission node, and encapsulating the data and sending encapsulateddata to the first transmission node. The telematics box performs datatransmission with the first transmission node.

In this embodiment of this application, the first function and thesecond function are deployed on the telematics box, to provideredundancy for normal working of an eCall. This can improve reliabilityof the eCall. When a link or a node is faulty, the telematics box mayreceive, through the first function and the second function, datacollected by the peripheral, and transmit the data back to an emergencycall center. In this way, the eCall can work normally, and reliabilityof the eCall can be improved.

In a possible design, the telematics box supplies power to the firsttransmission node. According to the foregoing design, the telematics boxswitches to being powered by a local power supply and supplies power tothe first transmission node, so that the first transmission node and theperipheral connected to the first transmission node can work normally.

In a possible design, the telematics box switches from being powered bythe first transmission node to being powered by the local power supply.According to the foregoing design, the telematics box switches to beingpowered by the local power supply, so that the telematics box can worknormally when a link or a node in the data communication system isfaulty.

In a possible design, the data communication system includes a thirdtransmission node. The third transmission node is a primary transmissionnode in the data communication system. There may be at least twotransmission paths between the first transmission node and the thirdtransmission node. In the foregoing design, path redundancy is providedfor the telematics box. When the node or the link in the datacommunication system is faulty, the data communication system may supplypower to the telematics box through a standby path, to drive theperipheral to work normally. In this way, reliability of the eCall canbe improved.

In a possible design, before the telematics box performs datatransmission with the first transmission node, the telematics box mayreceive a first instruction sent by the first transmission node. Thefirst instruction is used to implement synchronization between thetelematics box and the first transmission node. According to theforegoing design, after synchronizing with the first transmission nodethat switches to the master node mode, the host function of thetelematics box communicates with the first transmission node, to improvecommunication reliability.

In a possible design, before the telematics box performs datatransmission with the first transmission node, the telematics box mayalternatively send a first instruction to the first transmission node.The first instruction is used to implement synchronization between thetelematics box and the first transmission node. According to theforegoing design, after synchronizing with the first transmission nodethat switches to the master node mode, the host function of thetelematics box communicates with the first transmission node, to improvecommunication reliability.

In a possible design, before the telematics box activates the firstfunction and the second function, the telematics box detects a signalfor triggering an emergency call. In the foregoing design, thetelematics box activates the first function and the second functionafter detecting the signal for triggering the emergency call, so thatthe telematics box can be prevented from being affected by the fault ofthe link or the node in the data communication system in emergency callcommunication. In this way, the eCall function can run normally.

In a possible design, before the telematics box activates the firstfunction and the second function, the telematics box receives a secondinstruction sent by the first transmission node. The second instructionis used to instruct the vehicle-mounted control terminal to activate thefirst function and the second function, and the second instruction issent by the first transmission node when the first transmission nodedetects the signal for triggering the emergency call. In the foregoingdesign, after detecting the signal for triggering the emergency call,the first transmission node indicates the telematics box to activate thefirst function and the second function, so that the telematics box canbe prevented from being affected by the fault of the link or the node inthe data communication system in the emergency call communication. Inthis way, the eCall function can run normally.

In a possible design, before the telematics box activates the firstfunction and the second function, the telematics box detects that aconnection between the first transmission node and a master node in thedata communication system is interrupted. In the foregoing design, whendetecting that a link or a node between the first transmission node andthe master node in the data communication system is faulty, thetelematics box activates the first function and the second function. Inthis case, the first function and the second function of the telematicsbox may receive, through the first transmission node, the data collectedby the peripheral, and transmit the data back to the emergency callcenter. In this way, the eCall can work normally, and reliability of theeCall can be improved.

In a possible design, before the telematics box activates the firstfunction and the second function, the telematics box receives the secondinstruction sent by the first transmission node. The second instructionis used to instruct the vehicle-mounted control terminal to activate thefirst function and the second function, and the second instruction issent by the first transmission node when the first transmission nodedetects that the connection between the first transmission node and themaster node in the data communication system is interrupted. In theforegoing design, when detecting that the link or the node between thefirst transmission node and the master node in the data communicationsystem is faulty, the first transmission node indicates the telematicsbox to activate the first function and the second function. In thiscase, the first function and the second function of the telematics boxmay receive, through the first transmission node, the data collected bythe peripheral, and transmit the data back to the emergency call center.In this way, the eCall can work normally, and reliability of the eCallcan be improved.

According to a fourth aspect, an embodiment of this application providesan emergency call method, applied to a vehicle-mounted communicationssystem. The vehicle-mounted communications system includes a telematicsbox and a data communication system. The data communication systemincludes a first transmission node, and the telematics box is connectedto the first transmission node. The method includes the firsttransmission node sends a first instruction to the telematics box. Thefirst instruction is used to instruct the vehicle-mounted controlterminal to activate a first function and a second function. The firsttransmission node is connected to the telematics box, and the firsttransmission node is in a slave node mode. The first function includes afunction of controlling the first transmission node and a peripheralconnected to the first transmission node. The second function includes afunction of decapsulating data from the first transmission node, andencapsulating the data and sending encapsulated data to the firsttransmission node. The first transmission node performs datatransmission with the telematics box.

In this embodiment of this application, the first function and thesecond function are deployed on the telematics box, to provideredundancy for normal working of an eCall. This can improve reliabilityof the eCall. When a link or a node is faulty, the telematics box mayreceive, through the first function and the second function, datacollected by the peripheral, and transmit the data back to an emergencycall center. In this way, the eCall can work normally, and reliabilityof the eCall can be improved.

In a possible design, the first instruction is sent by the firsttransmission node when the first transmission node detects a signal fortriggering an emergency call.

In a possible design, the first instruction is sent by the firsttransmission node when the first transmission node detects that aconnection between the first transmission node and a master node in thedata communication system is interrupted.

In a possible design, before the first transmission node performs datatransmission with the telematics box, the first transmission node maysend a second instruction to the telematics box. The second instructionis used to implement synchronization between the first transmission nodeand the telematics box. According to the foregoing design, aftersynchronizing with the first transmission node that switches to a masternode mode, the host function of the telematics box communicates with thefirst transmission node, to improve communication reliability.

In a possible design, the first transmission node receives a secondinstruction sent by the telematics box. The second instruction is usedto implement synchronization between the first transmission node and thetelematics box. According to the foregoing design, after synchronizingwith the first transmission node that switches to the master node mode,the host function of the telematics box communicates with the firsttransmission node, to improve communication reliability.

In a possible design, the telematics box switches from being powered bythe first transmission node to being powered by a local power supply.According to the foregoing design, the telematics box switches to beingpowered by the local power supply, so that the telematics box can worknormally when a link or a node in the data communication system isfaulty.

In a possible design, the telematics box supplies power to the firsttransmission node. According to the foregoing design, the telematics boxswitches to being powered by the local power supply and supplies powerto the first transmission node, so that the first transmission node andthe peripheral connected to the first transmission node can worknormally.

In a possible design, the data communication system includes a thirdtransmission node. The third transmission node is a primary transmissionnode in the data communication system. There may be at least twotransmission paths between the first transmission node and the thirdtransmission node. In the foregoing design, path redundancy is providedfor the telematics box. When the node or the link in the datacommunication system is faulty, the data communication system may supplypower to the telematics box through a standby path, to drive theperipheral to work normally. In this way, reliability of the eCall canbe improved.

According to a fifth aspect, an embodiment of this application providesan emergency call system. The system includes a telematics box, a firstsystem, a second system, and at least one peripheral. The first systemincludes at least one transmission node and a host. The second systemincludes at least one transmission node. The first system is connectedto the at least one peripheral. The second system is connected to the atleast one peripheral, and the second system is connected to thetelematics box through a first transmission node in the second system.In this embodiment of this application, the second system is added, thefirst system and the second system share the peripheral, and thetelematics box performs data transmission on emergency call data throughthe second system. In normal working, the telematics box and the firstsystem work independently. A fault of a node or a link in the firstsystem does not affect the telematics box. The telematics box mayobtain, through the second system, data collected by the peripheral, sothat the eCall function can run normally, and reliability of an eCallcan be improved.

In a possible design, that the first transmission node is connected tothe telematics box means that the first transmission node is connectedto the telematics box in a signal connection manner and a power supplyconnection manner.

In a possible design, the telematics box has a first function, and thefirst function includes a function of controlling the transmission nodeand a peripheral connected to the transmission node. The firsttransmission node is in a master node mode. According to the foregoingdesign, the first function of the telematics box may receive, throughthe first transmission node in the master node mode, the data collectedby the peripheral, so that the eCall function can run normally, andreliability of the eCall can be improved.

In a possible design, the telematics box has the first function and asecond function. The first function includes the function of controllingthe transmission node and the peripheral connected to the transmissionnode. The second function includes a function of decapsulating data fromthe at least one transmission node in the second system, andencapsulating the data and sending encapsulated data to the at least onetransmission node in the second system. Any transmission node in thesecond system is in a slave node mode. According to the foregoingdesign, the first function and the second function of the telematics boxmay receive, through the first transmission node, the data collected bythe peripheral, so that the eCall function can run normally, andreliability of the eCall can be improved.

In a possible design, the telematics box is connected to a secondtransmission node in the first system. In the foregoing design, thetelematics box is connected to the first system, so that the telematicsbox is connected to two systems, and the two systems back up each other.When a link or a node in one system is faulty, the telematics box mayobtain the data from the peripheral through the other system, to ensurenormal running of the eCall function in the telematics box, and improvereliability of the eCall.

In a possible design, there are at least two transmission paths betweenat least two transmission nodes in the first system. In the foregoingdesign, path redundancy is provided for the telematics box. When a nodeor a link in the data communication system is faulty, the datacommunication system may supply power to the telematics box through astandby path, to drive the peripheral to work normally. In this way,reliability of the eCall can be improved.

In a possible design, there are at least two transmission paths betweenat least two transmission nodes in the second system. In the foregoingdesign, path redundancy is provided for the telematics box. When a nodeor a link in the data communication system is faulty, the datacommunication system may supply power to the telematics box through astandby path, to drive the peripheral to work normally. In this way,reliability of the eCall can be improved.

According to a sixth aspect, an embodiment of this application providesa vehicle. The emergency call system according to the fifth aspect maybe deployed on the vehicle.

According to a seventh aspect, an embodiment of this applicationprovides an emergency call method, applied to an emergency call system.The system includes a telematics box, a first system, a second system,and at least one peripheral. The first system includes at least onetransmission node and a host. The second system includes at least onetransmission node. The first system is connected to the at least oneperipheral. The second system is connected to the at least oneperipheral, and the second system is connected to the telematics boxthrough a first transmission node in the second system. The methodincludes the telematics box determines to initiate an emergency call,and the telematics box performs data transmission with the firsttransmission node. In this embodiment of this application, the secondsystem is added, the first system and the second system share theperipheral, and the telematics box performs data transmission onemergency call data through the second system. In normal working, thetelematics box and the first system work independently. A fault of anode or a link in the first system does not affect the telematics box.The telematics box may obtain, through the second system, data collectedby the peripheral, so that an eCall function can run normally, andreliability of the eCall can be improved.

In a possible design, that the first transmission node is connected tothe telematics box means that the first transmission node is connectedto the telematics box in a signal connection manner and a power supplyconnection manner.

In a possible design, the telematics box has a first function, and thefirst function includes a function of controlling the transmission nodeand a peripheral connected to the transmission node. The firsttransmission node is in a master node mode. According to the foregoingdesign, the first function of the telematics box may receive, throughthe first transmission node in the master node mode, the data collectedby the peripheral, so that the eCall function can run normally, andreliability of the eCall can be improved.

In a possible design, the telematics box has the first function and asecond function. The first function includes the function of controllingthe transmission node and the peripheral connected to the transmissionnode. The second function includes a function of decapsulating data fromthe at least one transmission node in the second system, andencapsulating the data and sending encapsulated data to the at least onetransmission node in the second system. Any transmission node in thesecond system is in a slave node mode. According to the foregoingdesign, the first function and the second function of the telematics boxmay receive, through the first transmission node, the data collected bythe peripheral, so that the eCall function can run normally, andreliability of the eCall can be improved.

In a possible design, there are at least two transmission paths betweenat least two transmission nodes in the first system. In the foregoingdesign, path redundancy is provided for the telematics box. When a nodeor a link in the data communication system is faulty, the datacommunication system may supply power to the telematics box through astandby path, to drive the peripheral to work normally. In this way,reliability of the eCall can be improved.

In a possible design, there are at least two transmission paths betweenat least two transmission nodes in the second system. In the foregoingdesign, path redundancy is provided for the telematics box. When a nodeor a link in the data communication system is faulty, the datacommunication system may supply power to the telematics box through astandby path, to drive the peripheral to work normally. In this way,reliability of the eCall can be improved.

According to an eighth aspect, an embodiment of this applicationprovides an emergency call method, applied to an emergency call system.The system includes a telematics box, a first system, a second system,and at least one peripheral. The first system includes at least onetransmission node and a host. The second system includes at least onetransmission node. The first system is connected to the at least oneperipheral. The second system is connected to the at least oneperipheral, and the second system is connected to the telematics boxthrough a first transmission node in the second system. The first systemis connected to the telematics box through a second transmission node inthe first system. The method includes the telematics box performs datatransmission with the second transmission node when the first systemworks normally, and the telematics box performs data transmission withthe first transmission node when the first system works abnormally. Inthis embodiment of this application, the telematics box is connected toboth the first system and the second system, so that the telematics boxis connected to two systems, and the two systems back up each other.When a link or a node in one system is faulty, the telematics box mayobtain data from the peripheral through the other system, to ensurenormal running of an eCall function in the telematics box, and improvereliability of the eCall.

In a possible design, the telematics box has a first function, or thetelematics box has the first function and a second function. The firstfunction includes a function of controlling the first transmission nodeand a peripheral connected to the first transmission node, and thesecond function includes a function of decapsulating data from the firsttransmission node, and encapsulating the data and sending encapsulateddata to the first transmission node.

In a possible design, the telematics box has the first function, and thefirst function includes a function of controlling the transmission nodeand a peripheral connected to the transmission node. Before thetelematics box performs data transmission with the first transmissionnode, the telematics box detects a signal for triggering an emergencycall, and sends a first instruction to the first transmission node. Thefirst instruction is used to instruct the first transmission node toswitch from a slave node mode to a master node mode. In the foregoingdesign, when detecting the signal for triggering the emergency call, thetelematics box indicates the first transmission node to switch from theslave node mode to the master node mode, so that the host function ofthe telematics box may receive, through the first transmission node, thedata collected by the peripheral, and transmit the data back to anemergency call center. In this way, it can be avoided that the eCallcannot work normally due to a fault of a link or a node in the firstsystem, and reliability of the eCall can be improved.

In a possible design, the telematics box has the first function, and thefirst function includes a function of controlling the transmission nodeand a peripheral connected to the transmission node. Before thetelematics box performs data transmission with the first transmissionnode, the telematics box detects that a connection between the firsttransmission node and a master node in the data communication system isinterrupted, and sends the first instruction to the first transmissionnode. The first instruction is used to instruct the first transmissionnode to switch from the slave node mode to the master node mode. In theforegoing design, the telematics box indicates the first transmissionnode to switch from the slave node mode to the master node mode when theconnection between the first transmission node and the master node inthe data communication system is interrupted, so that the host functionof the telematics box may receive, through the first transmission node,the data collected by the peripheral, and transmit the data back to theemergency call center. In this way, the eCall can work normally, andreliability of the eCall can be improved.

In a possible design, before the telematics box performs datatransmission with the first transmission node, the telematics box mayreceive a second instruction sent by the first transmission node. Thesecond instruction is used to implement synchronization between thetelematics box and the first transmission node. According to theforegoing design, after synchronizing with the first transmission nodethat switches to the master node mode, the host function of thetelematics box communicates with the first transmission node, to improvecommunication reliability.

In a possible design, before the telematics box performs datatransmission with the first transmission node, the telematics box mayalternatively send a second instruction to the first transmission node.The second instruction is used to implement synchronization between thetelematics box and the first transmission node. According to theforegoing design, after synchronizing with the first transmission nodethat switches to the master node mode, the host function of thetelematics box communicates with the first transmission node, to improvecommunication reliability.

In a possible design, the second system includes at least one thirdtransmission node. The third transmission node is a lower-leveltransmission node of the first transmission node. After the telematicsbox activates the host function, the telematics box may allocate atransmission resource to the at least one third transmission node. Thetelematics box sends resource allocation information to the firsttransmission node. The resource allocation information is used toindicate the transmission resource separately corresponding to the atleast one third transmission node. In the foregoing design, thetelematics box allocates the transmission resource to the lower-leveltransmission node of the first transmission node, so that thelower-level transmission node of the first transmission node can worknormally under control of the telematics box. In this way, the eCall canwork normally, and reliability of the eCall can be improved.

In a possible design, the first system includes at least one fourthtransmission node. The fourth transmission node is a lower-leveltransmission node of the second transmission node. After the telematicsbox activates the host function, the telematics box may allocate atransmission resource to the at least one fourth transmission node. Thetelematics box sends resource allocation information to the secondtransmission node. The resource allocation information is used toindicate the transmission resource separately corresponding to the atleast one fourth transmission node. In the foregoing design, thetelematics box allocates the transmission resource to the lower-leveltransmission node of the second transmission node, so that thelower-level transmission node of the second transmission node can worknormally under control of the telematics box. In this way, the eCall canwork normally, and reliability of the eCall can be improved.

In a possible design, the telematics box switches from being powered bythe first transmission node to being powered by a local power supply.According to the foregoing design, the telematics box switches to beingpowered by the local power supply, so that the telematics box can worknormally when a link or a node in the data communication system isfaulty.

In a possible design, the telematics box supplies power to the firsttransmission node. According to the foregoing design, the telematics boxswitches to being powered by the local power supply and supplies powerto the first transmission node, so that the first transmission node andthe peripheral connected to the first transmission node can worknormally.

In a possible design, the telematics box supplies power to the secondtransmission node. According to the foregoing design, the telematics boxswitches to being powered by the local power supply and supplies powerto the second transmission node, so that the second transmission nodeand a peripheral connected to the second transmission node can worknormally.

In a possible design, the first system includes a first primarytransmission node, and there may be at least two transmission pathsbetween the second transmission node and the first primary transmissionnode. In the foregoing design, the first system provides path redundancyfor the telematics box. When a node or a link in the first system isfaulty, the first system may supply power to the telematics box througha standby path, to drive the peripheral to work normally. In this way,reliability of the eCall can be improved.

In a possible design, the second system includes a second primarytransmission node, and there may be at least two transmission pathsbetween the first transmission node and the second primary transmissionnode. In the foregoing design, the second system provides pathredundancy for the telematics box. When a node or a link in the secondsystem is faulty, the second system may supply power to the telematicsbox through a standby path, to drive the peripheral to work normally. Inthis way, reliability of the eCall can be improved.

According to a ninth aspect, an embodiment of this application providesan emergency call method, applied to an emergency call system. Thesystem includes a telematics box, a first system, a second system, andat least one peripheral. The first system includes at least onetransmission node and a host. The second system includes at least onetransmission node. The first system is connected to the at least oneperipheral. The second system is connected to the at least oneperipheral, and the second system is connected to the telematics boxthrough a first transmission node in the second system. The first systemis connected to the telematics box through a second transmission node inthe first system. The method includes the telematics box performs datatransmission with the first transmission node when the second systemworks normally, and the telematics box performs data transmission withthe second transmission node when the second system works abnormally. Inthis embodiment of this application, the telematics box is connected toboth the first system and the second system, so that the telematics boxis connected to two systems, and the two systems back up each other.When a link or a node in one system is faulty, the telematics box mayobtain data from the peripheral through the other system, to ensurenormal running of an eCall function in the telematics box, and improvereliability of the eCall.

In a possible design, the telematics box has a first function, or thetelematics box has the first function and a second function. The firstfunction includes a function of controlling the first transmission nodeand a peripheral connected to the first transmission node, and thesecond function includes a function of decapsulating data from the firsttransmission node, and encapsulating data and sending encapsulated datato the first transmission node.

In a possible design, the telematics box has the first function, and thefirst function includes a function of controlling the transmission nodeand a peripheral connected to the transmission node. Before thetelematics box performs data transmission with the first transmissionnode, the telematics box detects a signal for triggering an emergencycall, and sends a first instruction to the first transmission node. Thefirst instruction is used to instruct the first transmission node toswitch from a slave node mode to a master node mode. In the foregoingdesign, when detecting the signal for triggering the emergency call, thetelematics box indicates the first transmission node to switch from theslave node mode to the master node mode, so that the host function ofthe telematics box may receive, through the first transmission node, thedata collected by the peripheral, and transmit the data back to anemergency call center. In this way, it can be avoided that the eCallcannot work normally due to a fault of a link or a node in the firstsystem, and reliability of the eCall can be improved.

In a possible design, the telematics box has the first function, and thefirst function includes the function of controlling the transmissionnode and the peripheral connected to the transmission node. Before thetelematics box performs data transmission with the first transmissionnode, the telematics box detects that a connection between the firsttransmission node and a master node in the data communication system isinterrupted, and sends the first instruction to the first transmissionnode. The first instruction is used to instruct the first transmissionnode to switch from the slave node mode to the master node mode. In theforegoing design, the telematics box indicates the first transmissionnode to switch from the slave node mode to the master node mode when theconnection between the first transmission node and the master node inthe data communication system is interrupted, so that the host functionof the telematics box may receive, through the first transmission node,the data collected by the peripheral, and transmit the data back to theemergency call center. In this way, the eCall can work normally, andreliability of the eCall can be improved.

In a possible design, before the telematics box performs datatransmission with the first transmission node, the telematics box mayreceive a second instruction sent by the first transmission node. Thesecond instruction is used to implement synchronization between thetelematics box and the first transmission node. According to theforegoing design, after synchronizing with the first transmission nodethat switches to the master node mode, the host function of thetelematics box communicates with the first transmission node, to improvecommunication reliability.

In a possible design, before the telematics box performs datatransmission with the first transmission node, the telematics box mayalternatively send a second instruction to the first transmission node.The second instruction is used to implement synchronization between thetelematics box and the first transmission node. According to theforegoing design, after synchronizing with the first transmission nodethat switches to the master node mode, the host function of thetelematics box communicates with the first transmission node, to improvecommunication reliability.

In a possible design, the second system includes at least one thirdtransmission node. The third transmission node is a lower-leveltransmission node of the first transmission node. After the telematicsbox activates the host function, the telematics box may allocate atransmission resource to the at least one third transmission node. Thetelematics box sends resource allocation information to the firsttransmission node. The resource allocation information is used toindicate the transmission resource separately corresponding to the atleast one third transmission node. In the foregoing design, thetelematics box allocates the transmission resource to the lower-leveltransmission node of the first transmission node, so that thelower-level transmission node of the first transmission node can worknormally under control of the telematics box. In this way, the eCall canwork normally, and reliability of the eCall can be improved.

In a possible design, the first system includes at least one fourthtransmission node. The fourth transmission node is a lower-leveltransmission node of the second transmission node. After the telematicsbox activates the host function, the telematics box may allocate atransmission resource to the at least one fourth transmission node. Thetelematics box sends resource allocation information to the secondtransmission node. The resource allocation information is used toindicate the transmission resource separately corresponding to the atleast one fourth transmission node. In the foregoing design, thetelematics box allocates the transmission resource to the lower-leveltransmission node of the second transmission node, so that thelower-level transmission node of the second transmission node can worknormally under control of the telematics box. In this way, the eCall canwork normally, and reliability of the eCall can be improved.

In a possible design, the telematics box switches from being powered bythe first transmission node to being powered by a local power supply.According to the foregoing design, the telematics box switches to beingpowered by the local power supply, so that the telematics box can worknormally when a link or a node in the data communication system isfaulty.

In a possible design, the telematics box supplies power to the firsttransmission node. According to the foregoing design, the telematics boxswitches to being powered by the local power supply and supplies powerto the first transmission node, so that the first transmission node andthe peripheral connected to the first transmission node can worknormally.

In a possible design, the telematics box supplies power to the secondtransmission node. According to the foregoing design, the telematics boxswitches to being powered by the local power supply and supplies powerto the second transmission node, so that the second transmission nodeand a peripheral connected to the second transmission node can worknormally.

In a possible design, the first system includes a first primarytransmission node, and there may be at least two transmission pathsbetween the second transmission node and the first primary transmissionnode. In the foregoing design, the first system provides path redundancyfor the telematics box. When a node or a link in the first system isfaulty, the first system may supply power to the telematics box througha standby path, to drive the peripheral to work normally. In this way,reliability of the eCall can be improved.

In a possible design, the second system includes a second primarytransmission node, and there may be at least two transmission pathsbetween the first transmission node and the second primary transmissionnode. In the foregoing design, the second system provides pathredundancy for the telematics box. When a node or a link in the secondsystem is faulty, the second system may supply power to the telematicsbox through a standby path, to drive the peripheral to work normally. Inthis way, reliability of the eCall can be improved.

According to a tenth aspect, this application provides an emergency callapparatus. The apparatus may be a communications device, or may be achip or a chipset in a communications device. The communications devicemay be a telematics box or a transmission node. The apparatus mayinclude a processing unit and a transceiver unit. When the apparatus isthe communications device, the processing unit may be a processor, andthe transceiver unit may be a transceiver. The apparatus may furtherinclude a storage module, and the storage module may be a memory. Thestorage module is configured to store an instruction. The processingunit executes the instruction stored in the storage module, so that thetelematics box is enabled to perform corresponding functions in thefirst aspect, the third aspect, the seventh aspect, the eighth aspect,and the ninth aspect. Alternatively, the processing unit executes theinstruction stored in the storage module, so that the transmission nodeis enabled to perform corresponding functions in the second aspect andthe fourth aspect. When the apparatus is the chip or the chipset in thecommunications device, the processing unit may be a processor, and thetransceiver unit may be an input/output interface, a pin, a circuit, orthe like. The processing unit executes an instruction stored in astorage module, so that the telematics box is enabled to performcorresponding functions in the first aspect, the third aspect, theseventh aspect, the eighth aspect, and the ninth aspect. Alternatively,the processing unit executes the instruction stored in the storagemodule, so that the transmission node is enabled to performcorresponding functions in the second aspect and the fourth aspect. Thestorage module may be a storage module (for example, a register or acache) in the chip or the chip set, or may be a storage module (forexample, a read-only memory (ROM) or a random-access memory (RAM)) thatis in the network device and that is located outside the chip or thechipset.

According to an eleventh aspect, an emergency call apparatus isprovided, including a processor, a communications interface, and amemory. The communications interface is configured to transmitinformation, and/or a message, and/or data between the apparatus andanother apparatus. The memory is configured to store acomputer-executable instruction. When the apparatus runs, the processorexecutes the computer-executable instruction stored in the memory, sothat the apparatus is enabled to perform the emergency call methodaccording to any one of the first aspect or the designs of the firstaspect, any one of the second aspect or the designs of the secondaspect, any one of the third aspect or the designs of the third aspect,any one of the fourth aspect or the designs of the fourth aspect, anyone of the fifth aspect or the designs of the fifth aspect, any one ofthe sixth aspect or the designs of the sixth aspect, any one of theseventh aspect or the designs of the seventh aspect, any one of theeighth aspect or the designs of the eighth aspect, or any one of theninth aspect or the designs of the ninth aspect.

According to a twelfth aspect, this application further provides acomputer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage mediumstores an instruction. When the instruction is run on a computer, thecomputer is enabled to perform the emergency call method according toany one of the first aspect or the designs of the first aspect, any oneof the second aspect or the designs of the second aspect, any one of thethird aspect or the designs of the third aspect, any one of the fourthaspect or the designs of the fourth aspect, any one of the fifth aspector the designs of the fifth aspect, any one of the sixth aspect or thedesigns of the sixth aspect, any one of the seventh aspect or thedesigns of the seventh aspect, any one of the eighth aspect or thedesigns of the eighth aspect, or any one of the ninth aspect or thedesigns of the ninth aspect.

According to a thirteenth aspect, this application further provides acomputer program product including an instruction. When the computerprogram product runs on a computer, the computer is enabled to performthe emergency call method according to any one of the first aspect orthe designs of the first aspect, any one of the second aspect or thedesigns of the second aspect, any one of the third aspect or the designsof the third aspect, any one of the fourth aspect or the designs of thefourth aspect, any one of the fifth aspect or the designs of the fifthaspect, any one of the sixth aspect or the designs of the sixth aspect,any one of the seventh aspect or the designs of the seventh aspect, anyone of the eighth aspect or the designs of the eighth aspect, or any oneof the ninth aspect or the designs of the ninth aspect.

According to a fourteenth aspect, this application further provides anemergency call system. The network system includes a telematics box anda transmission node. The telematics box may perform a correspondingfunction in the first aspect, and the transmission node may perform acorresponding function in the second aspect. Alternatively, thetelematics box may perform a corresponding function in the third aspect,and the transmission node may perform a corresponding function in thefourth aspect.

According to a fifteenth aspect, an embodiment of this applicationprovides a chip. The chip includes a memory, at least one processor, anda communications interface. The processor is coupled to the memory, andis configured to read a computer program stored in the memory to performthe emergency call method according to any one of the first aspect orthe designs of the first aspect, any one of the second aspect or thedesigns of the second aspect, any one of the third aspect or the designsof the third aspect, any one of the fourth aspect or the designs of thefourth aspect, any one of the fifth aspect or the designs of the fifthaspect, any one of the sixth aspect or the designs of the sixth aspect,any one of the seventh aspect or the designs of the seventh aspect, anyone of the eighth aspect or the designs of the eighth aspect, or any oneof the ninth aspect or the designs of the ninth aspect in theembodiments of this application.

According to a sixteenth aspect, an embodiment of this applicationprovides a chip, including a communications interface and at least oneprocessor. The processor runs to perform the emergency call methodaccording to any one of the first aspect or the designs of the firstaspect, any one of the second aspect or the designs of the secondaspect, any one of the third aspect or the designs of the third aspect,any one of the fourth aspect or the designs of the fourth aspect, anyone of the fifth aspect or the designs of the fifth aspect, any one ofthe sixth aspect or the designs of the sixth aspect, any one of theseventh aspect or the designs of the seventh aspect, any one of theeighth aspect or the designs of the eighth aspect, or any one of theninth aspect or the designs of the ninth aspect in the embodiments ofthis application.

It should be noted that “coupling” in the embodiments of thisapplication indicates a direct combination or an indirect combinationbetween two components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an emergency call scenario according toan embodiment of this application.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an emergency call system according toan embodiment of this application.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an emergency call system according toan embodiment of this application.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an emergency call method according toan embodiment of this application.

FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are a schematic diagram of an emergency call systemaccording to an embodiment of this application.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an emergency call method according toan embodiment of this application.

FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are a schematic diagram of an emergency call systemaccording to an embodiment of this application.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of an emergency call system according toan embodiment of this application.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of an emergency call system according toan embodiment of this application.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of an emergency call system according toan embodiment of this application.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of an emergency call system according toan embodiment of this application.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of an emergency call system according toan embodiment of this application.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of determining a transmission pathaccording to an embodiment of this application.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of an emergency call system according toan embodiment of this application.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of an emergency call apparatus accordingto an embodiment of this application.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of an emergency call apparatus accordingto an embodiment of this application.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of an emergency call apparatus accordingto an embodiment of this application.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

With continuous development of the vehicle industry, a vehicle has morefunctions. For example, an in-vehicle audio system may implementfunctions such as active noise reduction and an emergency call. Toimplement these functions, the audio system may include the followingdevices an audio processing (e.g., digital signal processing (DSP))device, a speaker, a microphone, a power amplifier configured to drive ahigh-power speaker, an audio signal source, and a data communicationsystem that connects these functional entities. The audio signal sourcemay include a radio, a magnetic tape or compact disk (CD) player, anaudio and video entertainment player, a telematics box (T-Box), and thelike.

A T-Box in a vehicle is generally required to be capable of making aneCall in an emergency. In the emergency, the T-Box sends eCallinformation to an emergency call center. As shown in FIG. 1, when anaccident occurs on the vehicle, an eCall initiates an emergency call(for example, 112), and quickly reports eCall data such as an accidentstatus and location information of the vehicle to the emergency callcenter through a base station.

In a vehicle with limited deployment space, a daisy chain topology canreduce a length of a connected cable, simplify cabling, reduce aquantity of audio DSPs, and improve flexibility of device deployment.Therefore, the daisy chain topology is usually used for networking andtransmission of the in-vehicle audio system.

The data communication system of the in-vehicle audio system may includea host, a master node, and a slave node. The host may include an audioDSP. The master node is a main control node for digital communicationcontrol. One end of the master is connected to the host and the otherend of the master is connected to the slave node. A plurality of slavenodes may be connected level by level to form a daisy chain. The masternode and the slave node may externally connect to peripherals such as amicrophone and a speaker. For example, the data communication systemincludes one host, one master node, and three slave nodes. The datacommunication system is shown in FIG. 2 (in the figure, the master nodeis a master node, a slave node 0 is a slave node 0, and other slavenodes are similar). The T-Box may be flexibly deployed at any locationin the daisy chain. In other words, the T-Box may be connected to anyslave node in the data communication system. The host may be configuredto process data transmitted by an external device such as themicrophone. For example, the host performs processing such as filteringand noise reduction on voice data collected by the microphone. Themaster node is configured to encapsulate the data processed by the hostand send encapsulated data to each slave node, and may also receive datasent by each slave node, and decapsulate the data and send decapsulateddata to the host. The slave node is configured to send data collected bythe external device to the master node, or may receive data sent by themaster node. During the emergency call, the T-Box may collect, by usingthe data communication system, in-vehicle voice collected by the MIC ora MIC array, location information, and information about various sensors(such as an airbag), and transmit the information back to the emergencycall center by using an eCall function. Downlink data streams such as anaudio are sent from the host to the master node and then transmitted tospeakers connected to the slave nodes. A transmission path may bedescribed as the host→the master node→the slave node 0→slave node1→slave node 2. Uplink data streams such as an audio are collected bythe microphone and transmitted to the slave node. The slave node sendsthe data streams to the master node, and then the master node forwardsthe data streams to the audio DSP. A transmission path may be describedas the slave node 2→the slave node 1→the slave node 0→the masternode→the audio DSP.

The daisy chain topology is a cascading topology. A fault on anupper-level link affects normal working of a lower-level link and below.For example, in FIG. 2, if a fault occurs on the slave node 1 or a faultoccurs on a line connecting the slave node 1 and the slave node 2, theslave node 2 cannot work normally, and the T-Box cannot complete theemergency call.

Based on this, embodiments of this application provide an emergency callmethod and apparatus, to resolve a problem that a telematics box cannotcomplete an emergency call when an upper-level link or node of a slavenode connected to the telematics box is faulty. The method and theapparatus are conceived based on a same technical concept. The methodand the device have similar principles for resolving problems.Therefore, for implementation of the apparatus and the method, refer toeach other. Details are not repeatedly described. The emergency callmethod and apparatus provided in the embodiments of this application maybe applied to an in-vehicle computing function, an in-vehiclecommunication function, and systems corresponding to the functions,especially an in-vehicle computing function, an in-vehicle communicationfunction, and systems corresponding to the functions that are in anautonomous vehicle.

To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, thefollowing describes terms related to the embodiments of thisapplication.

A T-Box is also referred to as a telematics box, or may be referred toas a vehicle-mounted T-Box. A vehicle communicates with the outside byusing the T-Box. For example, the vehicle communicates with a basestation by using the T-Box, the vehicle communicates with a roadsidestation by using the T-Box, and different vehicles communicate with eachother by using their own T-Boxes. A T-Box in an intelligent vehicle mayreport information such as a driving status of the vehicle to a network,or may control the vehicle through the network. The T-Box generally hasa global positioning function, such as BEIDOU, a Global PositioningSystem (GPS), or Galileo, to provide location information of thevehicle. The T-Box may include a communications module, to complete theforegoing communication function. The T-Box in the intelligent vehiclemay further be connected, through an in-vehicle network, to controllerssuch as a controller of in-vehicle entertainment (which may also bereferred to as a head unit) and a controller of autonomous driving inthe vehicle, to implement functions such as data reporting, remotecontrol, and over the air (OTA). For ease of description, the telematicsbox is collectively referred to as a T-Box below.

eCall: The eCall can provide quick assistance for a driver whoencounters a collision. An eCall device may be deployed in a vehicle.When a serious traffic accident occurs, the device automatically dialsan emergency number (for example, 112), and sends information aboutairbag unfolding and a sensor impact caused by the collision, andcoordinates of the vehicle in the GPS or the Galileo positioning systemto a local emergency agency through wireless communication.

Host: A host in a data communication system may control a transmissionnode, a peripheral, and the like in the data communication system. Forexample, the host may allocate a transmission resource to thetransmission node in the data communication system. For example, thehost may allocate a transmission timeslot to each transmission node. Foranother example, the host may also perform read/write control on thetransmission node in the data communication system. For another example,the host may further control the peripheral connected to the datacommunication system, for example, control volume and playing or pausingof an output device such as a power amplifier or a speaker, and aworking mode of an input device such as a microphone. For anotherexample, the host may further perform fault detection and control on adevice in the data communication system, for example, detect whether thedevice is faulty, or control the device to disconnect from a link. Inaddition, the host may further implement other control functions, whichare not listed one by one herein.

Master node: A master node in a vehicle-mounted communications systemmay be a transmission node working in a master node mode. The masternode may receive data, control information, and the like that are sentby a host, encapsulate the data, the control information, and the likethat are sent by the host, and send encapsulated data, controlinformation, and the like to each slave node. The master node mayfurther receive data sent by each slave node, decapsulate the data sentby each slave node, and send decapsulated data to the host. If themaster node is connected to a peripheral, the master node may alsoperform data transmission with the peripheral, for example, obtain datacollected by the peripheral, and send data or control information to theperipheral. The master node may further encapsulate the data collectedby the peripheral connected to the master node, and send encapsulateddata to the host, or may further decapsulate the data, the controlinformation, and the like that are sent by the host, and senddecapsulated data, control information, and the like to the connectedperipheral. In addition, the master node may further implement othercontrol functions, which are not listed one by one herein.

Slave node: A slave node in a vehicle-mounted communications system maybe a transmission node working in a slave node mode. The slave node mayobtain data collected by a peripheral and send the data to a masternode, and may further send data sent by the master node to the connectedperipheral, or control the peripheral based on control information sentby the master node, for example, control the peripheral to read andwrite, collect data, and disable/work. If the slave node is anintermediate node in a daisy chain, the slave node may further forwarddata sent by a lower-level slave node to the master node, or forwarddata, control information, and the like that are sent by the master nodeto the lower-level slave node. In addition, the slave node may furtherimplement other control functions, which are not listed one by oneherein.

An upper-level transmission node of a transmission node may beunderstood as another transmission node located behind the transmissionnode in uplink data transmission, or may be understood as a transmissionnode between the transmission node and a host. For example, anupper-level transmission node of the slave node 2 in FIG. 2 may be theslave node 1, the slave node 0, or the master node.

A lower-level transmission node of a transmission node may be understoodas another transmission node located behind the transmission node indownlink data transmission. For example, an upper-level transmissionnode of the slave node 0 in FIG. 2 may be the slave node 1 or the slavenode 2.

Peripheral: The peripheral may include a sensor such as a microphone, amillimeter-wave radar, a laser radar, an ultrasonic radar, a camera, apositioning system such as a GPS, an inertial sensor such as an inertialmeasurement unit (IMU), a speed sensor, an acceleration sensor, ahumidity sensor, and a light intensity sensor that are used on avehicle. The peripheral may further include a playback device, such as adisplay screen, an external power amplifier, and a speaker. Theperipheral may further include other devices, which are not listed oneby one herein.

It should be understood that network elements such as the host, themaster node, and the slave node in the embodiments of this applicationare logical concepts. In practice, a form of the network element may bea physical device, a box, a board, or a function implemented by a chipor an area on the board. In practice, a plurality of network elementsmay alternatively be integrated into one device. For example, the slavenode 1 and the slave node 2 may be on one circuit board.

An embodiment of this application provides a vehicle-mountedcommunications system. The system may include a T-Box, a host, aplurality of transmission nodes, and a peripheral connected to thetransmission node. A transmission node connected to the host may be in amaster node mode. In other words, the host is connected to a masternode. Another transmission node may be in a slave node mode. In otherwords, the other transmission node is a slave node. The T-Box may beconnected to any transmission node. For example, FIG. 3 is a schematicdiagram of the communications system. The system includes one host(shown as a host in the figure), and a plurality of transmission nodes,namely, a node 1 to a node N. The node 1 to the node N may be connectedlevel by level. The node 1 is the master node, and is connected to aperipheral 1 and a peripheral 2. The node 2 to the node N are slavenodes. The node 2 is connected to a peripheral 3 and a peripheral 4. Thenode N is connected to the T-Box. It may be understood that FIG. 3 ismerely an example for description, and does not further limit a quantityof hosts, a quantity of transmission nodes, a connection relationshipbetween the host and the transmission node, a connection relationshipbetween the transmission nodes, a connection relationship between thetransmission node and the peripheral, a deployment location of theT-Box, and the like in the vehicle-mounted communications system.

The host may be connected to the master node through, but not limitedto, an Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C)/integrated audio interface(I2S)/time-division multiplexing (TDM)/pulse code modulation (PCM)/pulsedensity modulation (PDM)/general-purpose input/output (GPIO) interface.The master node may be connected to a power supply, and the power supplysupplies power to the master node. The master node may supply power tothe slave node, and each transmission node may further supply power to aconnected peripheral and the T-Box. The master node may be connected tothe power supply through an AP/AN interface or another interface. Anupper-level transmission node may be connected to an AP/AN interface ofa lower-level transmission node through a BP/BN interface, to implementelectrical transmission and signal transmission between the upper-leveltransmission node and the lower-level transmission node. Thetransmission node may be connected to the peripheral through theI2C/I2S/TDM/PCM/PDM/GPIO interface. For example, the transmission nodemay be connected to a MIC array through the PDM interface, and thetransmission node may be connected to an SPK through the I2S/TDMinterface. For example, the vehicle-mounted communications system may beshown in FIG. 2.

It should be understood that, in this embodiment of this application, atwisted pair (TP) connection is merely used as an example to describe aconnection manner between devices. In a specific implementation, twodevices may alternatively be connected in another manner, for example,in a coaxial manner. The connection manner between the devices is notfurther limited in this embodiment of this application.

It should be understood that, in this embodiment of this application, anin-vehicle eCall function is merely used as an example for description,but this embodiment of this application is not limited to the in-vehicleeCall function, and may also be applied to various communicationscenarios, to ensure redundancy of a device or a function component in asystem.

It should be understood that, in the embodiments of this application,“at least one” means one or more, and “a plurality of” means two ormore. The term “and/or” describes an association relationship betweenassociated objects and represents that three relationships may exist.For example, A and/or B may represent the following cases: only Aexists, both A and B exist, and only B exists, where A and B may besingular or plural. The character “/” generally indicates an “or”relationship between the associated objects. “At least one of thefollowing items (pieces)” or a similar expression thereof indicates anycombination of these items, including a single item (piece) or anycombination of a plurality of items (pieces). For example, at least oneof a, b, or c may indicate a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a, b,and c, where a, b, and c may be singular or plural.

It should be understood that, in descriptions of this application, wordssuch as “first” and “second” are merely used for distinction anddescription, and shall not be understood as an indication or implicationof relative importance or an indication or implication of an order.

The following describes in detail the embodiments of this applicationwith reference to accompanying drawings.

Embodiment 1

This application provides an emergency call method. The method may beapplied to a vehicle-mounted communications system. The vehicle-mountedcommunications system includes a T-Box and a data communication system.The data communication system includes a first transmission node, andthe T-Box is connected to the first transmission node. As shown in FIG.4, the method includes the following steps.

S401: The T-Box activates a host function.

The host function may also be understood as a function of a host in thedata communication system. For example, the host function may include afunction of controlling the first transmission node and a peripheralconnected to the first transmission node, for example, controlling thefirst transmission node to read/write, or controlling the firsttransmission node to report data collected by the peripheral. If thefirst transmission node is connected to a lower-level transmission node,the host function may further include a function of controlling thelower-level transmission node of the first transmission node and aperipheral connected to the lower-level transmission node of the firsttransmission node, for example, controlling the lower-level transmissionnode of the first transmission node to read/write, or controlling thelower-level transmission node of the first transmission node to reportdata collected by the peripheral. The host function may further includea function of allocating a transmission resource to the lower-leveltransmission node of the first transmission node, and the like. The hostfunction may further process data transmitted by the first transmissionnode, for example, perform processing such as noise reduction on audiodata. It may be understood that the data transmitted by the firsttransmission node may include data obtained by the first transmissionnode from the peripheral connected to the first transmission node, andfurther include data sent by the lower-level transmission node to thefirst transmission node. In addition, the host function may includeother functions, which are not listed one by one herein.

In an example, the host function may be a functional module in theT-Box, or a functional module externally connected to the T-Box. If thehost function is the functional module externally connected to theT-Box, the host function may alternatively be triggered by the firsttransmission node for activation.

In some embodiments, when the data communication system works normally,the T-Box may be triggered, by a signal for triggering an emergencycall, to activate the host function.

In an implementation, the T-Box may activate the host function whendetecting the signal for triggering the emergency call.

In another implementation, when detecting the signal for triggering theemergency call, the first transmission node may send, to the T-Box, aninstruction used to instruct the T-Box to activate the host function.The T-Box activates the host function after receiving the instruction.

Further, in the foregoing two implementations, the first transmissionnode may disconnect a connection to an upper-level transmission node. Itmay be understood that the connection herein may refer to a power supplyconnection and a signal connection. FIG. 2 is used as an example. Thefirst transmission node is the slave node 2. When detecting the signalfor triggering the emergency call, the T-Box may activate the hostfunction. The slave node 2 disconnects a connection to the slave node 1.For example, the slave node 2 may only disconnect a signal connection tothe slave node 1. Alternatively, the slave node 2 may disconnect asignal connection and a power supply connection to the slave node 1.

In some other embodiments, the T-Box may be triggered by a fault of thedata communication system to activate the host function.

In an implementation, the data communication system may further includea master node. The T-Box may alternatively activate the host functionwhen detecting that a connection between the first transmission node andthe master node is interrupted.

For example, when detecting that power supply is interrupted, the T-Boxmay determine that the connection between the first transmission nodeand the master node is interrupted. When detecting that a signal betweenthe T-Box and the first transmission node is interrupted, the T-Box maydetermine that the connection between the first transmission node andthe master node is interrupted.

In another implementation, when detecting that the connection betweenthe first transmission node and the master node is interrupted, thefirst transmission node may send, to the T-Box, the instruction used toinstruct the T-Box to activate the host function. The T-Box activatesthe host function after receiving the instruction.

For example, when detecting that power supply is interrupted, the firsttransmission node may determine that the connection between the firsttransmission node and the master node is interrupted. When detectingthat a signal between the first transmission node and an adjacentupper-level transmission node is interrupted, the first transmissionnode may determine that the connection between the first transmissionnode and the master node is interrupted.

Interruption of the connection between the first transmission node andthe master node may be caused by a fault of the upper-level transmissionnode of the first transmission node. FIG. 2 is used as an example. Afault of the slave node 1 may cause interruption of a connection betweenthe slave node 2 and the master node. The interruption of the connectionbetween the first transmission node and the master node mayalternatively be caused by interruption of the connection between thefirst transmission node and the upper-level transmission node. FIG. 2 isused as an example. Interruption of a link between the slave node 1 andthe slave node 2 may cause interruption of a connection between theslave node 2 and the master node. The interruption of the connectionbetween the first transmission node and the master node mayalternatively be caused by interruption of a connection between twoupper-level transmission nodes of the first transmission node. FIG. 2 isused as an example. Interruption of a link between the slave node 1 andthe slave node 0 may cause interruption of a connection between theslave node 2 and the master node.

In an implementation, the host function of the T-Box may be disabledbefore activation is triggered. For example, in an embodiment in whichactivation of the host function is triggered by the signal fortriggering the emergency call, the host function may be disabled beforethe emergency call. For another example, in an embodiment in whichactivation of the host function is triggered by the fault of the datacommunication system, the host function may be disabled before the datacommunication system is faulty.

S402: The first transmission node switches from a slave node mode to amaster node mode.

It may be understood that after the first transmission node switchesfrom the slave node mode to the master node mode, the first transmissionnode may implement a function of the master node.

In an implementation, the first transmission node may switch from theslave node mode to the master node mode when detecting the signal fortriggering the emergency call.

In another implementation, when detecting the signal for triggering theemergency call, the T-Box may send, to the first transmission node, aninstruction used to instruct the first transmission node to switch fromthe slave node mode to the master node mode. The first transmission nodeswitches from the slave node mode to the master node mode afterreceiving the instruction.

In still another implementation, alternatively, when detecting that theconnection between the first transmission node and the master node isinterrupted, the T-Box may send, to the first transmission node, theinstruction used to instruct the first transmission node to switch fromthe slave node mode to the master node mode. The first transmission nodeswitches from the slave node mode to the master node mode afterreceiving the instruction.

In still another implementation, the first transmission node may switchfrom the slave node mode to the master node mode when detecting that theconnection between the first transmission node and the master node isinterrupted.

S403: The first transmission node performs data transmission with theT-Box.

Further, the first transmission node performs data transmission onemergency call-related data with the T-Box.

It should be noted that step S401 and step S402 are not subject to asequence. Step S401 may be performed before step S402, or step S402 maybe performed before step S401, or step S401 and step S402 may besimultaneously performed.

In some embodiments, before the T-Box performs data transmission withthe first transmission node, the T-Box may be synchronized with thefirst transmission node. In an implementation, the T-Box may implementsynchronization between the T-Box and the first transmission node byreceiving an instruction that is sent by the first transmission node andthat is used to implement synchronization between the T-Box and thefirst transmission node. In another implementation, the T-Box mayalternatively implement synchronization between the T-Box and the firsttransmission node by sending, to the first transmission node, aninstruction used to implement synchronization between the T-Box and thefirst transmission node.

For example, the instruction may be a handshake instruction. Forexample, after the T-Box sends the instruction to the first transmissionnode, the first transmission node responds to the T-Box. Alternatively,after the first transmission node sends the instruction to the T-Box,the T-Box responds to the first transmission node.

In a possible implementation, the data communication system may furtherinclude at least one second transmission node. The second transmissionnode is a lower-level transmission node of the first transmission node.After the T-Box activates the host function, the T-Box may allocate atransmission resource to the at least one second transmission node. TheT-Box sends resource allocation information to the first transmissionnode. The resource allocation information is used to indicate thetransmission resource separately corresponding to the at least onesecond transmission node. The first transmission node may separatelysend configuration information to the at least one second transmissionnode. The configuration information is used to indicate the transmissionresource corresponding to the second transmission node.

In an example, before step S401, the T-Box may be powered by the firsttransmission node. After step S401, the T-Box may switch from beingpowered by the first transmission node to being powered by a local powersupply.

Further, after being powered by the local power supply, the T-Box mayfurther supply power to the first transmission node. In animplementation, the T-Box may supply power to the first transmissionnode through an original interface.

In addition, the first transmission node may supply power to the secondtransmission node. The first transmission node may further supply powerto the peripheral connected to the first transmission node. Each secondtransmission node may further supply power to a peripheral connected tothe second transmission node.

To better understand the solution provided in Embodiment 1 of thisapplication, the following further describes an emergency call processwith reference to the vehicle-mounted communications system shown inFIG. 2.

A possible emergency call process may include, as shown in FIG. 5A andFIG. 5B, the T-Box may obtain power from a daisy chain or be powered bythe local power supply. When the data communication system worksnormally, the T-Box is powered by the daisy chain. When a link or a nodein the data communication system is faulty, the T-Box detects the fault,and may switch to being powered by the local power supply to ensurenormal working of the T-Box. The T-Box may supply power to the slavenode 2 through the original interface, and control the slave node 2 toswitch to a master node mode, so that the slave node 2 changes frombeing controlled by the master node in the data communication system tobeing controlled by the T-Box, to ensure that data collected by theperipheral can be transmitted to the T-Box, and data of the T-Box canalso be transmitted to the peripheral. In an implementation, when thedata communication system works normally, the host function of the T-Boxmay be in a disabled state, and an eCall function may be in a runningstate. Therefore, if the data communication system works normally, theT-Box may obtain, by using the data communication system, the datacollected by the peripheral when making the emergency call.

In Embodiment 1 of this application, the T-Box can be powered by thelocal power supply, the host function is deployed on the T-Box, and thefirst transmission node switches from the slave node mode to the masternode mode, to provide redundancy for normal working of the eCall, andimprove reliability of the eCall. When a link or node is faulty, theT-Box may supply power to the first transmission node, so that the firsttransmission node and the peripheral connected to the first transmissionnode can work normally. In addition, a working mode of the firsttransmission node is switched to the master node mode, so that the hostfunction of the T-Box may receive, through the first transmission node,the data collected by the peripheral, and transmit the data back to anemergency call center. In this way, the eCall can work normally, andreliability of the eCall can be improved.

Embodiment 2

This application provides another emergency call method. The method maybe applied to a vehicle-mounted communications system. The system mayinclude a T-Box and a first transmission node. The T-Box is connected tothe first transmission node. As shown in FIG. 6, the method includes thefollowing steps.

S601: The T-Box activates a first function and a second function.

The first function is similar to the host function in Embodiment 1. Fordetails, refer to related descriptions of the host function inEmbodiment 1. Details are not repeatedly described.

The second function may be understood as a function of a master node ina data communication system. For example, the function of the masternode may include receiving data, control information, and the like thatare obtained after processing by the first function, encapsulating thedata, the control information, and the like that are obtained afterprocessing by the first function, and transmitting encapsulated data,control information, and the like to the first transmission node.Alternatively, the function of the master node may include receivingdata sent by the first transmission node, and decapsulating the datasent by the first transmission node and transmitting decapsulated datato the first function for processing. It may be understood that the datasent by the first transmission node may include data obtained by thefirst transmission node from a peripheral connected to the firsttransmission node, and further include data sent by a lower-leveltransmission node to the first transmission node. In addition, thesecond function may include other functions, which are not listed one byone herein.

In an example, the first function and the second function may befunctional modules in the T-Box, or functional modules externallyconnected to the T-Box. If the first function and the second functionare functional modules externally connected to the T-Box, the firstfunction and the second function may alternatively be triggered by thefirst transmission node for activation.

A process in which the T-Box activates the first function and the secondfunction is similar to the process in which the T-Box activates the hostfunction in Embodiment 1. A difference lies in that in Embodiment 1, theT-Box activates the host function, but in Embodiment 2, the T-Boxactivates the first function and the second function. Therefore, for aspecific process in which the T-Box activates the first function and thesecond function, refer to related descriptions in Embodiment 1. Detailsare not repeatedly described.

In an implementation, the first function and the second function of theT-Box may be disabled before activation is triggered. For example, in anembodiment in which activation of the first function and the secondfunction is triggered by a signal for triggering an emergency call, thefirst and the second function of the T-Box may be disabled before theemergency call. For another example, in an embodiment in whichactivation of the first function and the second function is triggered bya fault of the data communication system, the first function and thesecond function may be disabled before the data communication system isfaulty.

S602: The first transmission node performs data transmission with theT-Box.

Further, the first transmission node performs data transmission onemergency call-related data with the T-Box.

In a possible implementation, the first transmission node may beconnected to at least one lower-level transmission node. After the T-Boxactivates the first function and the second function, the T-Box mayallocate transmission resources to the first transmission node and theat least one lower-level transmission node, and separately sendconfiguration information to the first transmission node and the atleast one lower-level transmission node. The configuration informationis used to indicate the transmission resource corresponding to thetransmission node.

In an example, before step S401, the T-Box may be powered by the firsttransmission node. After step S401, the T-Box may switch from beingpowered by the first transmission node to being powered by a local powersupply. Alternatively, after step S401, the T-Box may not switch a powersupply, and still be powered by the first transmission node. This mayalternatively be understood as that the T-Box is still powered by adaisy chain of the data communication system.

Further, after being powered by the local power supply, the T-Box mayfurther supply power to the first transmission node. In animplementation, the T-Box may supply power to the first transmissionnode through an original interface.

In addition, if the first transmission node has a lower-leveltransmission node, the first transmission node may supply power to thelower-level transmission node. The first transmission node may furthersupply power to the peripheral connected to the first transmission node.Each lower-level transmission node may further supply power to aperipheral connected to the lower-level transmission node.

To better understand the solution provided in Embodiment 2 of thisapplication, the following further describes an emergency call processwith reference to the vehicle-mounted communications system shown inFIG. 2.

A possible emergency call process may include As shown in FIG. 7A andFIG. 7B, the T-Box includes the first function and the second function,and the T-Box may obtain power from the daisy chain or be powered by thelocal power supply. When the data communication system works normally,all nodes in the data communication system may be powered in a daisychain manner, the first function and the second function of the T-Boxmay be in a disabled state, and an eCall function may be enabled.Therefore, when the emergency call is made, the T-Box may obtain, byusing the data communication system, data collected by the peripheral.When a node or a link is faulty, the T-Box detects that the faultoccurs, switches to being powered by the local power supply, andactivates the first function and the second function. The slave node 2is powered by the T-Box, and switches to a mode managed by the T-Box(further, managed by the second function of the T-Box). The slave node 2changes from being controlled by the master node in the datacommunication system to being controlled by the T-Box, to ensure thatthe data collected by the peripheral can be transmitted to the T-Box,and data of the T-Box can also be transmitted to the peripheral.

In Embodiment 2 of this application, the T-Box can be powered by thelocal power supply, and the first function and the second function aredeployed on the T-Box, to provide redundancy for normal working of aneCall, and improve reliability of the eCall. When the link or the nodeis faulty, the T-Box may supply power to the first transmission node, sothat the first transmission node and the peripheral connected to thefirst transmission node can work normally. In addition, the T-Box mayreceive, by using the first function and the second function, the datacollected by the peripheral, and transmit the data back to an emergencycall center. In this way, the eCall can work normally, and reliabilityof the eCall is improved.

Embodiment 3

An embodiment of this application provides an emergency call system. Thesystem may include a T-Box, a first system, a second system, and atleast one peripheral. The first system includes at least onetransmission node and a host. The second system includes at least onetransmission node. Both the first system and the second system areconnected to at least one peripheral, and the second system is connectedto the T-Box through a first transmission node in the second system. Theconnection herein may be understood as a signal connection and a powersupply connection. For ease of understanding, the following uses threetransmission nodes included in the first system, one transmission nodeincluded in the second system, and three peripherals as an example. Theemergency call system may be shown in FIG. 8. It should be understoodthat FIG. 8 is merely an example for description, and does not limit aquantity and a connection manner of transmission nodes in the firstsystem, a quantity and a connection manner of transmission nodes in thesecond system, a quantity of peripherals, or the like.

In an implementation, the T-Box may have a first function. The firsttransmission node may be in a master node mode. As shown in FIG. 9, thefirst function is similar to the host function in Embodiment 1. Fordetails, refer to related descriptions of the host function inEmbodiment 1. Details are not repeatedly described. In some embodiments,the T-Box may be connected to a second transmission node in the firstsystem, as shown in FIG. 10.

In the emergency call systems shown in FIG. 8 to FIG. 10, the T-Box maybe powered by a local power supply, and may further supply power to thesecond system.

In another implementation, the T-Box may have the first function and asecond function. Any transmission node in the second system may be in aslave node mode. As shown in FIG. 11, the first function and the secondfunction are respectively similar to the first function and the secondfunction in Embodiment 2. For details, refer to related descriptions ofthe first function and the second function in Embodiment 2. Details arenot repeatedly described. In some embodiments, the T-Box may beconnected to the second transmission node in the first system, as shownin FIG. 12.

In the emergency call systems shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 and inemergency call communication, when the T-Box performs data transmissionwith the first system, the T-Box may be powered by the local powersupply, and may further supply power to the first system, and when theT-Box performs data transmission with the second system, the T-Box maybe powered by the local power supply, and may further supply power tothe second system.

Based on the emergency call system shown in FIG. 8, Embodiment 3 of thisapplication further provides an emergency call method. The methodincludes that the T-Box determines to initiate an emergency call, andthe T-Box performs data transmission with the first transmission node.

In some embodiments, the T-Box may determine to initiate the emergencycall when detecting a signal for triggering the emergency call.Alternatively, the first transmission node may send signaling to theT-Box when detecting the signal for triggering the emergency call, andthe T-Box initiates the emergency call after receiving the signaling.

Based on the emergency call system shown in FIG. 10, Embodiment 3 ofthis application further provides an emergency call method. The methodincludes, in emergency call communication, if the first system worksnormally, the T-Box performs data transmission with the secondtransmission node, and if the first system works abnormally, the T-Boxperforms data transmission with the first transmission node.Alternatively, in the emergency call communication, if the second systemworks normally, the T-Box performs data transmission with the firsttransmission node, and if the second system works abnormally, the T-Boxperforms data transmission with the second transmission node. For animplementation in which the T-Box performs data transmission with thesecond transmission node and an emergency call process, refer toEmbodiment 1. Details are not described herein again.

Based on the emergency call system shown in FIG. 12, Embodiment 3 ofthis application further provides an emergency call method. The methodincludes, in emergency call communication, if the first system worksnormally, the T-Box performs data transmission with the secondtransmission node, and if the first system works abnormally, the T-Boxperforms data transmission with the first transmission node.Alternatively, in emergency call communication, if the second systemworks normally, the T-Box performs data transmission with the firsttransmission node, and if the second system works abnormally, the T-Boxperforms data transmission with the second transmission node. For animplementation in which the T-Box performs data transmission with thesecond transmission node and an emergency call process, refer toEmbodiment 2. Details are not described herein again. For example, whenthe first system works, the second system may be disabled. When thesecond system works, the T-Box may disconnect a connection to the firstsystem.

In Embodiment 3 of this application, the second system is added, thefirst system and the second system share the peripheral, and the T-Boxperforms data transmission on emergency call data through the secondsystem. In normal working, the T-Box and the first system workindependently. A fault of a node or a link in the first system does notaffect the T-Box. The T-Box may obtain, through the second system, datacollected by the peripheral, so that an eCall function can run normally,and reliability of the eCall can be improved.

In addition, the T-Box may further be connected to the first system, sothat the T-Box is connected to two systems, and the two systems back upeach other. When a link or a node of one system is faulty, the T-Box mayobtain the data from the peripheral through the other system, to ensurenormal running of the eCall function in the T-Box, and improvereliability of the eCall.

Embodiment 4

An embodiment of this application may further provide a networkingmethod. In a data communication system, there is at least onetransmission node and a plurality of transmission paths between thetransmission node and a master node. In normal working, the transmissionnode may perform data transmission with the master node through one ofthe transmission paths, and another transmission path may be disabled.When the used transmission path is interrupted, data transmission may beperformed with the master node through the other transmission path. TheT-Box may be connected to any transmission node.

When a node or a link is faulty, the host may detect a location of thefault, re-discover nodes at two interfaces, initialize the nodes, andestablish two daisy chains to restore an entire network, as shown inFIG. 13.

For example, as shown in FIG. 14, a master node, a slave node 0, a slavenode 1, and a slave node 2 may form a ring network, and there are twotransmission paths between the master node and the slave node 0 themaster node-the slave node 0 and the master node-the slave node 2-theslave node 1-the slave node 0. Similarly, there are two transmissionpaths between the master node and the slave node 1 the master node-theslave node 0-the slave node 1 and the master node-the slave node 2-theslave node 1. Other transmission nodes are similar, which are notdescribed one by one herein. It should be understood that FIG. 14 ismerely an example for description. In a specific implementation, theremay be another quantity of transmission nodes in the data communicationsystem, and there may also be another connection relationship betweenthe transmission nodes in the data communication system. For example,the slave node 1 is connected to the master node, and the master node,the slave node 0, and the slave node 1 may form a ring network. Foranother example, the slave node 2 is connected to the slave node 0, andthe slave node 0, the slave node 1, and the slave node 2 may form a ringnetwork. A quantity and a connection manner of the transmission nodes inthe data communication system are not limited in this embodiment of thisapplication.

FIG. 14 is used as an example. In normal working, downlink services ofall transmission nodes in the data communication system may betransmitted in a counterclockwise transmission link, to be specific,transmitted along the master node→the slave node 0→the slave node 1→theslave node 2, and uplink services may be transmitted in a clockwisetransmission link, to be specific, transmitted along the slave node0→the slave node 1→the slave node 2→the master node. When a link betweenthe slave node 1 and the slave node 2 is faulty, a downlink service ofthe slave node 2 may be transmitted along a path of the master node→theslave node 2, an uplink service of the slave node 2 may be transmittedalong the slave node 2→the master node, downlink services of the slavenode 1 and the slave node 0 may be transmitted along the master node 0the slave node 0→the slave node 1, and uplink services of the slave node1 and the slave node→may be transmitted along the slave node 1→the slavenode 0→the master node, as shown in FIG. 15. It can be learned that theslave node 0, the slave node 1, and the slave node 2 can all worknormally, so that regardless of which transmission node the T-Box isconnected to, when a transmission node or a link in the datacommunication system is faulty, the T-Box can still obtain datacollected by a peripheral, to ensure normal running of an eCall functionin the T-Box, and improve reliability of an eCall.

In Embodiment 4 of this application, path redundancy is provided for theT-Box. When the node or the link in the data communication system isfaulty, the data communication system may supply power to the T-Boxthrough a standby path, to drive the peripheral to work normally, andimprove reliability of the eCall.

It should be noted that Embodiment 4 of this application may beimplemented as an independent solution, or may be implemented as asolution combined with any one of Embodiments 1 to 3. For example,Embodiment 4 is combined with Embodiment 1. To be specific, the datacommunication system in Embodiment 1 may be connected in the networkingmanner in Embodiment 4. For another example, Embodiment 4 is combinedwith Embodiment 2. To be specific, the data communication system inEmbodiment 2 may be connected in the networking manner in Embodiment 4.For another example, Embodiment 4 is combined with Embodiment 3. To bespecific, in Embodiment 3, the first system may be connected in thenetworking manner in

Embodiment 4, and the second system may also be connected in thenetworking manner in Embodiment 4.

Based on a same technical concept as the method embodiments, anembodiment of this application provides an emergency call apparatus. Astructure of the apparatus may be shown in FIG. 16, and the apparatusincludes a processing unit 1601 and a communications unit 1602.

In an implementation, the emergency call apparatus may further beconfigured to implement the method performed by the telematics box inthe embodiments in FIG. 4, FIG. 5A, and FIG. 5B. The apparatus may bethe telematics box, or a chip, a chipset, or a part of the chip in thetelematics box, and the part of the chip is configured to perform arelated method function. The processing unit 1601 is configured toactivate a host function. The host function includes controlling a firsttransmission node and a peripheral connected to the first transmissionnode. The communications unit 1602 is configured to perform datatransmission with the first transmission node. The first transmissionnode is in a master node mode.

In a possible implementation, the processing unit 1601 is furtherconfigured to, before the communications unit 1602 performs datatransmission with the first transmission node, detect a signal fortriggering an emergency call, or detect that a transmission path betweenthe first transmission node and a primary transmission node in a datacommunication system is interrupted. The communications unit 1602 isfurther configured to send a first instruction to the first transmissionnode. The first instruction is used to instruct the first transmissionnode to switch from a slave node mode to a master node mode.

In a possible implementation, the communications unit 1602 is furtherconfigured to, before performing data transmission with the firsttransmission node, receive a second instruction sent by the firsttransmission node. The second instruction is used to implementsynchronization between the apparatus and the first transmission node.

In another possible implementation, the communications unit 1602 isfurther configured to, before performing data transmission with thefirst transmission node, send a second instruction to the firsttransmission node. The second instruction is used to implementsynchronization between the apparatus and the first transmission node.

The processing unit 1601 may further be configured to, before activatingthe host function, detect the signal for triggering an emergency call.

Alternatively, the processing unit 1601 may further be configured to,before activating the host function, detect that the transmission pathbetween the first transmission node and the primary transmission node inthe data communication system is interrupted.

Alternatively, the communications unit 1602 may further be configuredto, before the processing unit 1601 activates the host function, receivea third instruction sent by the first transmission node. The thirdinstruction is used to instruct the apparatus to activate the hostfunction.

For example, the data communication system includes at least one secondtransmission node. The second transmission node is a lower-leveltransmission node of the first transmission node.

The processing unit 1601 may further be configured to, after activatingthe host function, allocate a transmission resource to the at least onesecond transmission node. The communications unit 1602 may further beconfigured to send resource allocation information to the firsttransmission node. The resource allocation information is used toindicate the transmission resource separately corresponding to the atleast one second transmission node.

For example, the apparatus may switch from being powered by the firsttransmission node to being powered by a local power supply.

The apparatus may further supply power to the first transmission node.

The data communication system may further include a third transmissionnode, and the third transmission node is the primary transmission nodein the data communication system. There are at least two transmissionpaths between the apparatus and the third transmission node.

In an implementation, the emergency call apparatus may further beconfigured to implement the method performed by the first transmissionnode in the embodiments in FIG. 4, FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B. The apparatusmay be the first transmission node, or a chip, a chipset, or a part ofthe chip in the first transmission node, and the part of the chip isconfigured to perform a related method function. The processing unit1601 is configured to control the apparatus to switch from a slave nodemode to a master node mode. The communications unit 1602 is configuredto perform data transmission with a telematics box. The telematics boxhas a host function, and the host function includes a function ofcontrolling the apparatus and a peripheral connected to the apparatus.

In a possible implementation, the processing unit 1601 may further beconfigured to, before controlling the apparatus to switch from the slavenode mode to the master node mode, detect a signal for triggering anemergency call.

In another possible implementation, the processing unit 1601 is furtherconfigured to, before controlling the apparatus to switch from the slavenode mode to the master node mode, detect that a transmission pathbetween the apparatus and a primary transmission node in a datacommunication system is interrupted.

In still another possible implementation, the communications unit 1602is further configured to, before the processing unit 1601 controls theapparatus to switch from the slave node mode to the master node mode,receive a first instruction sent by the telematics box. The firstinstruction is used to instruct the apparatus to switch from the slavenode mode to the master node mode.

The communications unit 1602 may further be configured to, beforeperforming data transmission with the telematics box, send a secondinstruction to the telematics box, where the second instruction is usedto implement synchronization between the apparatus and the telematicsbox, or before performing data transmission with the telematics box,receive a second instruction sent by the telematics box, where thesecond instruction is used to implement synchronization between theapparatus and the telematics box.

The processing unit 1601 may further be configured to, before thecommunications unit 1602 performs data transmission with the telematicsbox, detect the signal for triggering an emergency call, or detect thatthe transmission path between the apparatus and the primary transmissionnode in the data communication system is interrupted. The communicationsunit 1602 is further configured to send a third instruction to thetelematics box. The third instruction is used to instruct the telematicsbox to activate the host function.

The data communication system may further include at least one secondtransmission node. The second transmission node is a lower-leveltransmission node of the apparatus. The communications unit 1602 mayfurther be configured to, after the processing unit 1601 controls theapparatus to switch from the slave node mode to the master node mode,receive resource allocation information sent by the telematics box,where the resource allocation information is used to indicate atransmission resource of the at least one second transmission node, andseparately send configuration information to the at least one secondtransmission node, where the configuration information is used toindicate the transmission resource corresponding to the secondtransmission node.

The apparatus may switch from being powered by the data communicationsystem to being powered by the telematics box.

The data communication system may further include a third transmissionnode. The third transmission node is the primary transmission node inthe data communication system. There may be at least two transmissionpaths between the apparatus and the third transmission node.

Division into modules in this embodiment of this application is anexample, is merely logical function division, and may be other divisionin an actual implementation. In addition, functional modules in theembodiments of this application may be integrated into one processor, oreach of the modules may exist alone physically, or two or more modulesmay be integrated into one module. The integrated module may beimplemented in a form of hardware, or may be implemented in a form of asoftware functional module. It may be understood that, for functions orimplementations of the modules in the embodiments of this application,further refer to related descriptions in the method embodiments.

In a possible implementation, the emergency call apparatus may be shownin FIG. 17. The apparatus may be a communications device or a chip inthe communications device. The communications device may be a telematicsbox or a transmission node. The apparatus may include a processor 1701,a communications interface 1702, and a memory 1703. The processing unit1601 may be the processor 1701. The communications unit 1602 may be thecommunications interface 1702.

The processor 1701 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a digitalprocessing unit, or the like. The communications interface 1702 may be atransceiver, an interface circuit such as a transceiver circuit, atransceiver chip, or the like. The apparatus further includes the memory1703, configured to store a program executed by the processor 1701. Thememory 1703 may be a nonvolatile memory, for example, a hard disk drive(HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD), or may be a volatile memory, forexample, a RAM. The memory 1703 is any other medium that can be used tocarry or store expected program code in a form of an instruction or adata structure and that can be accessed by a computer. However, this isnot limited thereto.

The processor 1701 is configured to execute the program code stored inthe memory 1703, and is further configured to perform an action of theprocessing unit 1601. Details are not described herein again in thisapplication. The communications interface 1702 is further configured toperform an action of the communications unit 1602. Details are notdescribed herein in this application.

In this embodiment of this application, a specific connection mediumbetween the communications interface 1702, the processor 1701, and thememory 1703 is not limited. In this embodiment of this application, thememory 1703, the processor 1701, and the communications interface 1702are connected through a bus 1704 in FIG. 17, and the bus is representedby a thick line in FIG. 17. A connection manner between other componentsis schematically described, and is not limited thereto. The bus may beclassified into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, and the like.For ease of representation, only one thick line is used to represent thebus in FIG. 17, but this does not mean that there is only one bus oronly one type of bus.

An embodiment of this application further provides a computer-readablestorage medium, configured to store a computer software instruction thatneeds to be executed for execution of the foregoing processor, and thecomputer-readable storage medium includes a program that needs to beexecuted for execution of the foregoing processor.

A person skilled in the art should understand that the embodiments ofthis application may be provided as a method, a system, or a computerprogram product. Therefore, this application may use a form of hardwareonly embodiments, software only embodiments, or embodiments with acombination of software and hardware. Moreover, this application may usea form of a computer program product that is implemented on one or morecomputer-usable storage media (including but not limited to a diskmemory, a CD-ROM, an optical memory, and the like) that include computerusable program code.

This application is described with reference to the flowcharts and/orblock diagrams of the method, the device (system), and the computerprogram product according to this application. It should be understoodthat computer program instructions may be used to implement each processand/or each block in the flowcharts and/or the block diagrams and acombination of a process and/or a block in the flowcharts and/or theblock diagrams. These computer program instructions may be provided fora general-purpose computer, a dedicated computer, an embedded processor,or a processor of any other programmable data processing device togenerate a machine, so that the instructions executed by the computer orthe processor of any other programmable data processing device generatean apparatus for implementing a specific function in one or moreprocesses in the flowcharts and/or in one or more blocks in the blockdiagrams.

These computer program instructions may be stored in a computer readablememory that can instruct the computer or any other programmable dataprocessing device to work in a specific manner, so that the instructionsstored in the computer readable memory generate an artifact thatincludes an instruction apparatus. The instruction apparatus implementsa specific function in one or more processes in the flowcharts and/or inone or more blocks in the block diagrams.

These computer program instructions may be loaded onto the computer orthe other programmable data processing device, so that a series ofoperations and steps are performed on the computer or the otherprogrammable device, thereby generating computer-implemented processing.Therefore, the instructions executed on the computer or the otherprogrammable device provide steps for implementing a specific functionin one or more processes in the flowcharts and/or in one or more blocksin the block diagrams.

Certainly, a person skilled in the art can make various modificationsand variations to this application without departing from the protectionscope of this application. This application is intended to cover thesemodifications and variations of this application provided that they fallwithin the scope of protection defined by the following claims and theirequivalent technologies.

1. A communication method comprising: activating, by a telematics box, ahost function comprising a function of controlling a first transmissionnode coupled to the telematics box and a peripheral coupled to the firsttransmission node; detecting, by the telematics box, that the firsttransmission node has switched from a slave node mode to a master nodemode: and performing, by the telematics box after determining that thefirst transmission node has switched from the slave node mode to themaster node, mode, data transmission with the first transmission node.2. The communication method of claim 1, wherein before performing thedata transmission, the communication method further comprises sending,by the telematics box to the first transmission node, a firstinstruction instructing the first transmission node to switch from theslave node mode to the master node mode.
 3. The communication method ofclaim 1, wherein before performing the data transmission, thecommunication method further comprises: receiving, by the telematics boxfrom the first transmission node, a second instruction instructing thetelematics box to implement synchronization between the telematics boxand the first transmission node; or sending, by the telematics box tothe first transmission node, a third instruction is instructing thefirst transmission node to implement the synchronization.
 4. Thecommunication method of claim 1, wherein before activating the hostfunction, the communication method further comprises: detecting, by thetelematics box, a signal for triggering an emergency call; detecting, bythe telematics box, that a transmission path between the firsttransmission node and a primary transmission node in a datacommunication system has been interrupted wherein the first transmissionnode belongs to the data communication system; or receiving, by thetelematics box from the first transmission node, fourth instructioninstructing the telematics box to activate the host function.
 5. Thecommunication method of claim 1, wherein the first transmission node asecond transmission node that is a lower-level transmission node of thefirst transmission node, and wherein after activating the host function,the communication method further comprises: allocating, by thetelematics box, a transmission resource to the second transmission node;and sending, by the telematics box, to the first transmission node,resource allocation information indicating the transmission resourcecorresponding to the second transmission node.
 6. The communicationmethod of claim 1, further comprising switching, by the telematics box,from being powered by the first transmission node to being powered by alocal power supply.
 7. A communication method comprising: switching, bya first transmission node, from a slave node mode to a master node mode;performing, by the first transmission node, data transmission with atelematics box; and undergoing, by the first transmission node, controlthrough a host function of the telematics box.
 8. The communicationmethod of claim 7, wherein before switching from the slave node mode tothe master node mode, the communication method further comprisesreceiving, by the first transmission node from the telematics box, afirst instruction instructing the first transmission node to switch fromthe slave node mode to the master node mode.
 9. The communication methodof claim 7, wherein before performing the data transmission, thecommunication method further comprises: sending, by the firsttransmission node to the telematics box, a second instructioninstructing the telematics box to implement synchronization between thefirst transmission node and the telematics box; or receiving, by thefirst transmission node from the telematics box, the second instructioninstructing the first transmission node to implement the synchronizationbetween the first transmission node and the telematics box.
 10. Thecommunication method of claim 7, wherein before performing, the datatransmission box, the communication method further comprises: detecting,by the first transmission node, a signal for triggering an emergencycall or detecting that a transmission path between the firsttransmission node and a primary transmission node in a datacommunication system has been interrupted, wherein the firsttransmission node belongs to the data communication system; and sending,by the first transmission node to the telematics box, a thirdinstruction instructing the telematics box to activate the hostfunction.
 11. The communication method of claim 7, wherein the firsttransmission node belongs to a data communication system, wherein thedata communication system further, comprises a second transmission nodethat is a lower-level transmission node of the first transmission node,and wherein after switching from the slave node mode to the master nodemode, the communication method further comprises: receiving, by thefirst transmission node, from the telematics box, resource allocationinformation indicating a transmission resource of the secondtransmission node; and sending, by the first transmission node to thesecond transmission node, configuration information indicating thetransmission resource corresponding to the second transmission node. 12.The communication method of claim 7, further comprising switching, bythe first transmission node, from being powered by a data communicationsystem to being powered by the telematics box, wherein the firsttransmission, node the data communication system.
 13. The communicationmethod of claim 7, wherein the first transmission node belongs to a datacommunication system, wherein the data communication system furthercomprises a third transmission node, wherein the third transmission nodeis is a primary transmission node in the data communication system andwherein at least two transmission paths exist between the firsttransmission node and the third transmission node.
 14. An apparatuscomprising: memory configured to store program instructions; and aprocessor coupled to the memory, wherein the program instructions causethe processor to be configured to: activate a host function comprising afunction of controlling a first transmission node coupled to atelematics box and a peripheral coupled to the first transmission nodes;detecting that the first transmission note has switched from a slavenode mode to a master node mode; and perform, after determining that thefirst transmission node has switched from the slave node mode to themaster nod mode, data transmission with the first transmission node. 15.The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the program instructions furthercause the processor to be configured to send, to the first transmissionnode, a first instruction instructing the first transmission node toswitch from the slave node mode to the master node mode.
 16. Theapparatus of claim 14, wherein before performing the data transmission,the program instructions further cause the processor to be configuredto: receive, from the first transmission node, a second instructioninstructing the telematics box to implement synchronization between theapparatus and the first transmission node; or send, to the firsttransmission node, a third instruction instructing the transmission nodeto implement the synchronization node.
 17. The apparatus of claim 14,wherein before activating the host function, the program instructionsfurther cause the processor to be configured to: detect a signal fortriggering an emergency call; detect that a transmission path betweenthe first transmission node and a primary transmission node in a datacommunication system has been interrupted, wherein the firsttransmission node belongs to the data communication system; or receive,from the first transmission node, fourth instruction instructing theapparatus to activate the host function.
 18. The apparatus of claim 14,wherein the first transmission node belongs to a data communicationsystem, wherein the data communication system further comprises a secondtransmission node, that is a lower-level transmission node of the firsttransmission node, and wherein after activating the host function, theprogram instructions further cause the processor to be configured to:allocate a transmission resource to the second transmission node; andsend, to the first transmission node, resource allocation informationindicating the transmission resource corresponding to the secondtransmission node.
 19. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the programinstructions further cause the processor to be configured to switch frombeing powered by the first transmission node to being powered by a localpower supply.
 20. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the firsttransmission node belongs to a data communication system and, whereinthe data communication system further comprises a third transmissionnode and, wherein the third transmission node is a primary transmissionnode in the data communication system and wherein at least twotransmission paths exist between the first transmission node and thethird transmission node.